Ensuring that pets and plants live together in harmony can be something of a challenge for even the most green-fingered plant enthusiast. Many plants are poisonous to our furry friends and, as well-behaved as Fido may be, there may be times when you turn your head only to find he has taken a mouthful out of your Maidenhair fern! In order to keep your pets safe in a plant-filled environment, let us introduce you to some house plants that we regularly carry in the store that are non-toxic to both cats and dogs:
African Violet - this low-maintenance blooming plant is native to tropical parts of east Africa. It is sensitive to changes in temperature but easy to care for. Both the leaves and flowers of the African Violet are safe for cats and dogs.
Baby’s Tears - this child and pet safe plant produces lots of little white flowers. It is native to the northern Mediterranean. Baby’s tears like partial sunlight and moist but never soggy soil.
Boston Fern - some ferns are highly toxic to cats and dogs but the Boston fern is a great choice for pet lovers everywhere. A tropical plant, the Boston fern prefers filtered light and a higher humidity.
Haworthia - part of the succulent family, Haworthia is a small, low-growing plant, with distinctive white bands on its leaves. Their size and shape resembles aloe vera, but unlike aloe, Haworthia is non-toxic for cats and dogs. These plants do well in bright light.
Phalaenopsis Orchid - native to Asia and Australia, these orchids are among the hardiest. They prefer an environment with a higher temperature and humidity, but can cope with lower light. These beautiful and striking plants come in a variety of colours.
Ponytail Palm - despite the name, this plant is actually a succulent and not a palm. It can go for long periods of time without water and is an excellent low-maintenance option. Native to Mexico, this plant likes full sunlight.
Spider Plant - native to tropical and southern Africa, the spider plant is so named because of its spider-like plants, or spiderettes, that dangle down from the mother plant like spiders on a web. This plant is very forgiving when it comes to watering. It’s hardy and will tolerate a wide range of conditions but prefers even moisture and moderate, indirect light.